The outstanding collections of Glasgow's Hunterian Museum will be used to benefit young people as part of an innovative approach to enterprising learning.

The Scottish Executive's Determined to Succeed strategy for Enterprise and Education will fund six projects, including the Hunterian's Hunter Pack Project, sharing the sum of £250,000. The fund will be launched by Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Jim Wallace at lunchtime TODAY, Thursday 19 August, at the Hunterian museum.

Other winners are Edinburgh Business Development; Enterprising Careers, Strathclyde University; Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO); Apex Scotland Trust; and Achievers International, Ayr.

Minister Jim Wallace said:

'We need to have a creative and imaginative approach to enterprise in education. That way, young people will be enthused by the business world and have the chance to realise their potential ﾖ at work and in life. Whether it is capitalising on the wealth of outstanding material at the Hunterian Museum, tapping into the talents of our national orchestra or offering new opportunities for young offenders, all these projects show new thinking and offer something a little bit different. Today's Innovation Fund awards are another step forward in creating a nation of more enterprising people.'

The Hunter Pack project, which has been awarded over £67,000, will involve staff from the Hunterian Museum working directly with pupils and teachers, and with young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The objective of the project is to develop and produce an educational publication inspired by the collections in the museum's main and zoology museums, and an electronic Enterprise Toolkit.

The project is intended to create and inspire enterprising learning and teaching in schools, and encourage and nurture creativity, initiative and entrepreneurial development amongst young people.

Deputy Director of the Hunterian, Mungo Campbell explains:

'This project is another important demonstration of the powerful potential of the Hunterian in delivering the key University and Executive agendas of widening access and developing entrepreneurship. Universities, and particularly Scotland's great University museum collections, have outstanding resources which must be better exploited in unexpected and imaginative ways,' explains Deputy Director if the Hunterian, Mungo Campbell. 'We are confident that the young people participating in the project will gain new expertise and insights, raising their expectations and ambitions in the classroom and beyond.'

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Press and photographers are welcome to attend the Determined to Succeed Innovative Fund launch TODAY at 2.10pm. Please contact Mike Findlay in the University Press Office in advance if you wish to attend, on 0141 330-3535.

For further details on the Hunter Pack Project please contact Monica Callaghan, Head of Education at the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery on 0141 330 2838.

First published: 19 August 2004